Embark on a unique riverboat adventure along the Lower Mississippi River between New Orleans, Louisiana and Memphis, Tennessee. Savor a week aboard intimate and relaxed modern riverboats as you cruise the lower Mississippi River. The enthusiastic all-American crew are ready to share with you a wonderful journey filled with historical tales, culinary delights, unique culture, vibrant music, and new friends. Enjoy time onboard the ship in your comfortable and spacious stateroom. From your private balcony, enjoy expansive river views, the rising bluffs of the historic river towns, and the tree-lined banks accented with blue herons and bald eagles. Delight in the diverse menu of delicious meals carefully crafted by the onboard culinary team to include samples of regional cuisine.
Dynamic presentations by your onboard speaker connect you to the region`s culture and history. Local guides also share insights to illuminate your shore excursions. Memphis offers savory barbecue, rich music history museums, Sun Studios, and the amazing tour of Elvis` Graceland mansion exhibits. You can explore why the Mississippi River and the port of Vicksburg were so important during the Civil War as you explore the Vicksburg National Military Park. Enjoy beautiful architecture, antiques, and gardens at grand plantation homes as you learn southern stories from local guides and fascinating museums. Take in the local shops and museums of quaint and cozy towns like St. Francisville and Natchez. Perhaps sip and savor a tasty mint julep while strolling under the canopy of the 300-year-old trees at Oak Alley Plantation or explore the lavishly restored mansion and the expansive, manicured grounds surrounding Houmas House Plantation.
Inclusions:
- COMPLIMENTARY one night pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans
- COMPLIMENTARY one way transfer from hotel to port
- 7 night Lower Mississippi River cruise aboard American Melody from New Orleans to Memphis
- All onboard meals including breakfast room service - Locally sourced and regionally inspired cuisine, prepared by master chefs
- Complimentary alcohol onboard at all times including beer, wine, liquor, mixed drinks and champagne. Glasses, ice, mixers, coffee and soft drinks are also available at all times.
- Complimentary signature evening cocktail hour
- COMPLIMENTARY Featured Excursions available (plus a range of Premium and Signature Excursions at additional cost are available)
- Full enrichment package with guest speakers and nightly entertainment onboard
- All tips and gratuities
- Port charges and fees
DISCOUNTS:
The fares shown here are full brochure fare. Please contact us for your best offer. All rates in USD.
Special Conditions
*Conditions Apply: As of 17Dec24 all prices shown here are per person share twin (unless stated as single) in USD, based on full brochure cruise fare at time of publication and do not include any discounts. Visitors to the United States/Canada must complete an online ESTA/CANESTA application prior to arrival which is not included and is the guest’s responsibility. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Please note that cabin availability is not shown in real time - All inquiries will be checked for current availability at the time requested. Transfer to hotel on day one and post cruise are not included. Discounts may be available - please contact our office for the best offers applicable. Hotel stay is at the discretion of American Cruise Lines.
Special Validity Dates
Special is valid from 23 September 2024 to 2 May 2025 or until sold out/withdrawn.
Cruise Itinerary
Date
Port
Arrive
Depart
9 May 2025
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Hotel
10 May 2025
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Embark
11 May 2025
Houmas House Plantation, Burnside, Louisiana, USA
12 May 2025
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
13 May 2025
St Francisville, Louisiana, USA
14 May 2025
Natchez, Mississippi, USA
15 May 2025
Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
16 May 2025
Memphis Tennessee, USA
17 May 2025
Memphis Tennessee, USA
Disembark
7 Night Cruise sailing from New Orleans to Memphis aboard American Melody. Hotel stay pre-cruise in New Orleans.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1 - Pre-Cruise
On our Lower Mississippi River cruise, we offer Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay providing you will a seamless way to board the ship and explore the local area.
NOTE: Pre-Cruise Hotel Stays must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date.
Day 2 - New Orleans, LA
Enjoy a feast for your senses if you linger in this magical city, renowned for its delicious cuisine, vibrant music scene, and rich culture with an international flair. Stroll the tree-lined avenues, take a carriage ride through the French Quarter, hop aboard a streetcar to the gorgeous Garden District, or visit the renowned National World War II Museum.
Day 3 - Houmas House, LA
Step off your ship docked right at Houmas House and explore one of the most elaborately renovated of the grand homes along the river, once a private home and a thriving historical agricultural enterprise. Entertaining and knowledgeable guides will escort you through the magnificently restored home’s unmatched collection of stunning period furnishings and artwork. The ornately landscaped grounds include 38 acres of gardens, fountains, and majestic live oak trees.
Later, experience the opulence and natural wonder of the Oak Alley estate with its breathtaking parallel row of 28 ancient and massive live oak trees. Here, you can savor a complimentary taste of one of the best mint juleps in the South.
Day 4 - Baton Rouge, LA
Meaning “red stick,” Baton Rouge’s 1699 French name references an ancient geographical marker and reflects the city’s long history. As Louisiana’s state capital, the city still echoes with tales of the characters who lived here, most notably Governor and Senator Huey P. Long. Learn about his dramatic career at the magnificent 1852 Old State Capitol Museum and visit Long’s 1932 State Capitol building, an architectural marvel of granite and marble.
Explore many of the well-known downtown neighborhoods, while embracing the rich art, architecture, and nature along the route. If you feel adventurous, take a narrated boat ride through a Louisiana swamp.
Day 5 - St. Francisville, LA
As the bow-ramp from the ship opens and stretches to the shore, you will be welcomed into the historic cotton port of St. Francisville. Overlooking the river from atop a high, St. Francisville began as a part of Spanish West Florida in the early 1800s until American settlers overthrew the Spanish governing forces, and the region later became part of the United States.
Experience this town’s rich history on your own or with a variety of guided excursions. As you explore, discover the Historic District which boasts magnificent mansions and unique boutique shops and admire cottonwood trees which transition to stately oaks adorned with Spanish moss.
Day 6 - Natchez, MS
In Natchez, grand homes sparkle like jewels, adorning the bluffs that tower above the river. Since 1716, when the French first built a fort here among the Natchez Indians, the town has grown to boast elaborate mansions built by planters in the 1800s to flaunt their wealth.
With no Civil War fighting here, Natchez still features hundreds of antebellum homes and buildings. Each of these architectural treasures has its own story to tell, creating a charming downtown that embodies the essence of southern charm and hospitality.
Explore on your own or enjoy an array of curated, guided explorations. Tour the elaborate townhomes, visit a working cotton farm to learn about the crop’s importance in history and today, and discover the historic Under-The-Hill Saloon. Drift through quaint shops, nibble on local delights, and enjoy the expansive views of the majestic river valley from the bluff-top park.
Day 7 - Vicksburg, MS
Vicksburg is a place of drama. During the Civil War, the struggle to control Vicksburg proved to be a major turning point. The well-fortified connection between river and rail transportation was known as “The Gibraltar of the West.” A narrated exploration of the well-preserved National Military Park battlefield enlivens this powerful story and highlights its significance.
President Abraham Lincoln summarized Vicksburg’s importance clearly when he said, “Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket… They can defy us from Vicksburg… As valuable as New Orleans will be to us, Vicksburg will be more so.”
Several other excursion options are available, including exploring museums and historic sites with local expert guides or on your own. Walk aboard an enormous Army Corps of Engineers towboat. Stroll along the charming series of murals painted along the adjacent floodwall and read panels detailing the Vicksburg stories they illustrate.
Day 8 - Memphis, TN
Welcome to Memphis, a historic city which rises picturesquely up the hillside from the river, adorned with grand oak trees, lush parks, and historic sites that commemorate everything from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. Immerse yourself in its rich musical legacy as you stroll along legendary Beale Street, where music flows from every doorway, and savor the rich flavors and aromas of the city’s famous BBQ.
Choose from an array of customized excursions. Perhaps take a narrated motorcoach excursion to get an overview of this dramatic city. Or indulge in the glamour of the Peabody Hotel. Explore the home, life, and career of Elvis Presley or make your pilgrimage to Sun Studio, where he recorded his earliest smash-hits.
The comfort of your ship awaits at the nearby Beale Street Landing, docked along an impressive, recently renovated city park. Be entertained on board by local musicians as you savor a nightcap.
Day 9 - Memphis, TN
Enjoy breakfast on board the ship, before beginning your journey home. Reflect upon your adventures and the new friends made along the way.
American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce the newest ship in our revolutionary series of modern riverboat series. American Melody will begin its inaugural season on the Mississippi River in the summer of 2021 and was specifically designed to navigate this region.
American Melody features panoramic views throughout, including an impressive four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship. Ranging from 250 to 650 square feet, all of the spacious staterooms feature full-size bathrooms, roomy closets, and private balconies where you can enjoy daily breakfast room service. As with her sister ships, American Melody will also offer the Back Porch Café for casual dining, an option that has been very popular with our guests.
The new ship also features many spacious lounges, where you can share the day’s adventures with fellow guests, as well as an onboard fitness center and yoga studio. At the end of each incredible day, unwind in your luxurious Grand Suite or Veranda Suite and enjoy “suite treats” which have been delivered to your stateroom, such as mini cheesecakes or chocolate-covered strawberries.
Experience the American Melody for yourself on the Mississippi River in the summer of 2021.
Ship Profile & Stats
Maiden voyage: 2021
Passenger capacity (dbl): 175
Ship Facilities
River Lounge
Dining Room
Fitness Room
Yoga Studio
Library
Lounge
Sky Lounge
Cafe
Back Porch
Sun Deck
Putting Green
American Cruise Lines is the leader in small ship cruising! Carrying up to 180 maximum depending on the vessel, all of the small ships are able to easily navigate America's smooth, inland waterways and dock in the heart of each charming port. From Maine to Florida, the itineraries are designed to allow passengers to experience intimately each area's local culture, fascinating history and natural splendor.
Unsurpassed personal attention and intimate ambience make American Cruise Lines the leader in small ship cruising. The all-American crew is friendly, polite and eager to pamper you. Highly skilled chefs treat passengers to delectable feasts, masterfully prepared with the utmost in care and quality, highlighting the flavors of the local regions.
Refreshingly casual, flexible and unregimented - American Cruise Lines provides an intimate ambience conducive to camaraderie. Curl up with a book in the library, chat with new friends in one of the lounges, or watch the passing scenery from one of the open observation decks.
Each night, passengers relive the day's adventures over complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before dinner.
The luxurious Grand Suite measures 650 sq. ft. and offers panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Sliding glass doors lead out to a private balcony complete with a private dining area, the perfect place to enjoy breakfast room service or watch the sun set. Each Grand Suite features a separate bedroom and living area, ideal for gathering with family and friends after an invigorating day of exploration.
With a generous 405 sq. ft. of relaxing space, each Veranda suite includes a private walk-out balcony to enjoy the panoramic views. Considered one of the finest staterooms on any cruise ship, guests will enjoy full-size bathrooms and large living area with sliding glass door.
Located on the fourth deck, these spacious staterooms feature commanding views of the passing river landscapes. At 350 sq. ft., there is plenty of room to enjoy the tasteful comfort of your surroundings. These staterooms have all the comforts of a fine hotel and feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a private balcony to offer panoramic views from every angle.
AAC staterooms are conveniently located on the third deck and offer all of the comforts of a fine hotel. Complete with a private balcony and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, these staterooms provide spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. At 316 sq. ft., these staterooms also offer a sitting area, desk and full-size bathrooms.
AAR staterooms on the main deck offer complete comfort with approximately 275 sq. ft. of living space. Enjoy a full-size bathroom, large picture window, and door leading out to a furnished private balcony. These staterooms also feature a large sitting area, ideal for getting together with friends.
Perfect for the solo traveler, our Single staterooms offer all of the amenities you expect from a fine hotel. At 250 sq. ft., these staterooms have spacious bathrooms and large sliding glass doors that lead to a private balcony.
From
US $5,995*
per person
*All prices are per person twin share unless stated as solo, triple or quad share.